Brush unit and replacement brush therefor

ABSTRACT

A brush unit is disclosed where a central hub is employed having a mounting opening for receiving a drive shaft therethrough and a plurality of T shaped slots around the outer periphery thereof. A ring brush is receivable around the hub and has a plurality of projections around the inner periphery of a brush body, the projections being receivable in the T-shaped slots for holding the ring brush on the hub. The projections pass into the slots through a leg of the T and move to either end of the cross of the T upon rotary motion of the hub, the particular end being determined by the direction of the rotary motion. The projections are held thereat so long as the driving relationship exists. Once the rotary motion of the hub ceases, the brush may be moved back to the leg area of the T where the projections may be removed to remove the brush from the hub. A plurality of bristles are provided around the brush body on the outer periphery thereof. The replacement brush per se is also claimed.

United States Patent [1 1 Smith, Sr.

[ Nov. 12, 1974 BRUSH UNIT AND REPLACEMENT BRUSH THEREFOR [76] Inventor:James S. Smith, Sr., 2443 Armstrong Cir., Gastonia, NC. 28052 22 Filed:Jan. 23, 1973 21 Appl. No.: 326,021

[52] U.S. Cl. 15/179, 15/181 [51] Int. Cl. A4611 1/00, A46b 13/02 [58]Field of Search 15/179, 180,181, 182,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,838,416 12/1931 Lecker15/179 3,038,189 6/1962 Harr ..l5/l8l FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS656,972 2/1938 Germany 15/179 786,788 ll/1957 GreatBritain 15/181Primary ExaminerPeter Feldman Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Wellington M.Manning, Jr.

[57] ABSTRACT A brush unit is disclosed where a central hub is employedhaving a mounting opening for receiving a drive shaft therethrough and aplurality of T shaped slots around the outer periphery thereof. A ringbrush is receivable around the hub and has a plurality of projectionsaround the inner periphery of a brush body, the projections beingreceivable in the T-shaped slots for holding the ring brush on the hub.The projections pass into the slots through a leg of the T and move toeither end of the cross of the T upon rotary motion of the hub, theparticular end being determined by the direction of the rotary motion.The projections are held thereat so long as the driving relationshipexists. Once the rotary motion of the hub ceases, the brush may be movedback to the leg area of the T where the projections may be removed toremove the brush from the hub. A plurality of bristles are providedaround the brush body on the outer periphery thereof. The replacementbrush per se is also claimed.

13 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures BRUSH UNIT AND REPLACEMENT BRUSH THEREFORBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Brushes of the general type described hereinalong with other devices have heretofore been used in tenter frames toengage a textile fabric being fed into the frame and force the fabriconto pins that hold the fabric at open width during passage through theframe. Normally the brushes so employed are of integral constructionwhereby it becomes necessary to disrupt operation of the tenter frameduring removal of worn out or damaged brushes and replacement of new orrebuilt brushes therefor. Stopping the tenter frame, of course, reducesthe production output of same and is a costly manuever for the finishingplant, not to mention the cost of new or rebuilt prior art brushes.

Brushes of the general type described herein likewise are suitable forother various uses where prior art brushes of integral construction haveheretofore been employed. in fact, the brushes of the present inventioncould replace many integral units where wearing or damage to the unit isprobable. As such, the instant brush units may be employed in numerouscleaning, brushing and other operations.

The brush of the present invention represents a vast improvement overprior art tenter frame brushes, in that, the separate removable orreplacement brush may be slipped onto the core or hub while the tenterframe is in operation, thus providing an easy means for insuring goodquality tenter frame brushes at all times. Moreover, the economics ofmanufacture of the replacement brush is such that the system of thepresent invention is much more economical than new or rebuilt integralbrushes. 7

The prior art, while fairly voluminous in this general technologicalarea, is devoid of any teaching or suggestion of the brush of thepresent invention. Exemplary of the prior art are U.S. Pat; Nos. 909,204to Nelson; 1,383,511 to Baral; 1,561,280 to Radinse; 1,637,823 toHerold; 2,324,272 to Anderson; 2,534,892 to Wilhide; 2,609,559 toPeterson; 3,121,245 to Tilgner; 3,253,291 to Nelson; and 3,289,234 toNelson.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention toprovide an improved brush unit utilizing a replaceable brush element.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved brushunit for a tenter frame.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novelreplacement ring brush for a brush unit.

Generally speaking, the brush unit of the present invention comprises ahub, said hub having a mounting opening therein, said hub further havingbrush connector means positioned around the outer periphery thereof, anda brush element removably secureable around said hub, said brush elementhaving a body with an inside periphery substantially conforming to theouter periphery of said hub, said inside periphery of said body havingconnector means thereon, said connector means on said body mating withconnector means on said hub to removably secure said brush to said hub,said body further having bristles secured thereto around the outerperiphery thereof.

More specifically, the brush unit of the present invention provides acore or hub that may be permanently secured toa rotary shaft or the likeafter which ring brushes may be removably secured-thereto as desired.The hub is thus provided with connector means as is the ring brush, withthe connector means of the two el ements being mateable to removablysecure the ring brush to the hub. In a preferred embodiment, slots areprovided in the outer periphery of the hub so as to receive projectionslocated on the inner periphery of the ring brush, the projectionsloosely residing in the slots and being held therein during rotationalmovement of the hub in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction.Most preferably, the hub is circular in form and has a thickened flangearound the outer periphery thereof with the slots extending down intothe thickened flange. The most preferred form of the slots is T-shapedwith a leg of the T extending through the sidewall of the flange andpermitting direct access for the projections located on the innerperiphery of the ring brush body. The projections thus extend long theleg of the T to approximately the center of the flange where the crossmember of the T-shaped slots is present. When the projections arealignedwith the cross member of the slots, the hub may rotate with respect tothe brush until the end of the slots engage the projections. Thereafter,ro-

-tary motion of the hub is transmitted to the brush through theprojections. During this driving engagement, the sidewalls of the slotspreclude any substantial transverse movement of the projections and thushold the brush onthe hub.

Slots according to the present invention thus have an access area wherethe projections may move into and out of the slots and a driving areawhere the ends or other portions of the slots engage the projections andtransmit a driving force to the brush. In this regard, while a T-shapedslot is greatly preferred, the shape of the slot may take other forms.

A construction according to the teachings of the present invention thuspermits the hub to be permanently secured to a shaft or axel and bedriven thereby. Likewise, a ring brush may be slipped onto the hub whenthe projections or the like are in alignment with the access areas ofthe slots. Once the projections extend to the driving area of the slots,the hub or brush may be rotated in a clockwise or counterclockwisedirection to temporarily unite the brush to the hub. When removal of thebrush is desired, a simple turning of the brush in the directionopposite the previous direction of rotation to again align theprojections with the access area of the slots will permit the brush tobe slipped off the hub and discarded or the like. Thereafter, a newbrush may be placed on the hub in a manner of seconds, even while themachine is operating in most situations.

Economics plays a large part in the selection of materials formanufacture of the brush of the present invention. As such, it ispreferable to mold by injection molding or other techniques both the huband the ring brush body. The connector means for both the hub and thebody may thus be made integral with their respective parts duringmolding or may be later provided as desired. Furthermore, though the hubhas been described having the slots therein, the slots may likewise bepresented in the ring body with the projections being located on thehub.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side view of an assembledbrush unit according to the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a ring brush according to the teachings of thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of a ring brush as shown in' FIG. 2taken along lines IIIIII.

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of a ring brush showing a furtherembodiment thereof according to the teachings of. the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an end view of a hubaccording to the teachings of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4A is an end view of a hub according to the teachings of thepresent invention illustrating a further embodiment thereat.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the Figures,preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described indetail. In FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4 a brush unit according to the teachingsof the present invention is illustrated. A core or hub is providedhaving a centrally located mounting hole 12 through which a driveelement such as a mandrel, axel, shaft or the like may pass and besecured to hub 10. Preferably, mounting opening 12 has a flange 14surrounding same and extending outwardly in opposite directions from hub10. I-Iub 10 further has a thickened flange 16 surrounding the outerperiphery thereof with connector means located therearound. Preferably,

the connector means are a plurality of slots 18 illustrated as having aT-shaped configuration. A ring brush generally indicated as 20 isreceived around hub 10 and comprises a body 22 having an inner peripherythat conforms to the outer periphery of hub 10 and is sized to looselyreside therearound. Body 22 further has connector means received aroundthe inner periphery thereof to mate with connector means located in hub10. The brush connector means are preferably a plurality of projections24 that are adapted to mate with slots 18 on hub 10 so as to removablysecure brush 20 to hub 10. Body-22 further has a plurality of bristles26 provided around the outer periphery thereof.

Hub 10 is best illustrated in FIGS. 1, 4 and 4A, and is preferablycircular as shown. Mounting opening 12 and flange 14 receive a shaft orthe like and is secured therearound by any suitable means. Hub 10further has connector means received in flange 16 therearound.Preferably the connector means are a plurality of T shaped slots 18equidistantly spaced around the periphery of hub 10, slots 18 having anaccess area or leg 18' and a cross member or driving section 18". Accessareas 18' extend completely through the sidewall 16' of flange 16 toreceive brush connector means 24 therein. As shown in FIG. 4A, however,hub 110 may be provided with a series of projections 124 around theperiphery of flange 116 in lieu of slots. For either embodiment, acomplementary connector means is located on the inner periphery 22 ofbrush 20 to removably secure the brush to the .hub.

Brush 20-is best illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3 and 3A. A preferred form ofbody 22 is annular to reside around a circular hub 10 with the innercircumference 22 conforming in shape to the outer circumference ll ofhub 10 and being slightly larger than hub 10. A plurality of projections24, illustrative of connector means, are

equidistantly spaced around inner circumference 22' and extend inwardlytherefrom,'said projections being in alignment for receipt in slots 18of hub 10 and being the same in number. As illustrated in FIG. 3A,however, body 122 of the brush may have a plurality of slots 118 spacedtherearound in lieu of projections 24 of FIG. 3. In any event, theparticular connector means should be receivable by the connector meanson hub 10 to removably secure brush 20 thereto. Body 22 further has aplurality of bristles 26 secured thereto in suitable fashion. 7

Body 22 and hub 10 are preferably designed to have substantially thesame width at the widest points thereof with the connector means beingcentrally located along each part. As such, the assembled brush unit hasa good appearance and brush 20 is evenly supported by hub 10 across thewidth thereof.

Making reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4, hub 10 would be mounted forrotation at opening 12. A brush 20 would then be brought adjacent hub 10where projections 24 are aligned with access areas 18 of T shaped slots18. Brush 20 is then forced against hub 10 whereby projections 24 movealong access areas 18' until in communication with cross members 18", atthe approximate mid point of hub 10. Projections 24 are of a dimensionto reside loosely within slots 18 and are of a length slightly longerthan the depth of slots 18. R0- tary motion imparted to hub 10 permitsfree rotary motion of hub 10 with respect to brush 20 until the ends ofslots 18 engage projections 24. At this point, access areas 18' of slots18 have moved out of alignment with projections 24 and removal of brush20 is precluded.

Likewise, continued rotational movement of hub 10 is imparted to brush20 through projections 24 and hub 10 and brush 20 thus move as a unit.T-shaped slots 18 have a cross member on both sides of access areas 18.Hence the above described procedure occurs regardless of the directionof rotary movement. Furthermore, should the connector means be reversed,i.e., the projections be located on hub 10 and slots on brush 20, thesame principles would apply.

After using the brush unit of the present invention and it becomesnecessary to replace brush 20 brush 20 can be rotated in a directionopposite the last direction of rotation of hub 10 until projections 24are in alignment with access areas 18' of slots 18. Brush 20 can then beslipped off hub 10 and a replacement brush 20 placed thereon.

Preferably, the component parts of the present invention are produced byinjection molding techniques from a plastic composition. As such, theconnector means for the hub and ring brush are integral with theirrespective parts. Furthermore, while any type bristles may be employedaround the outer periphery of ring brush 20, natural bristles andpolyamide filaments are preferred.

Having described the present invention in detail, it is obvious that oneskilled in the art will be able to make variations and modificationsthereto without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly,the scope of the present invention should be determined only by v theclaims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:

l. A brush unit comprising a hub, said hub having a mounting openingtherethrough, and a brush removably secureable around said hub, saidbrush having a body with an inside periphery substantially conforming inshape to an outside periphery of said hub, one of said hub and saidbrush having a plurality of elongated slots extending circumferentiallytherearound and having a side opening intermediate the length thereofand the other of said hub and said brush having a plurality ofprojections thereon, said projections being passable through saidintermediate openings into said slots and drivingly connecting saidbrush and said hub away from said openings.

2. A brush unit as defined in claim 1 wherein the slots and openingdefine a T.

3. A brush unit comprising:

a. a circular hub said hub having a centrally located mounting openingtherethrough, said hub further having a thickened flange around an outerperiphery thereof, said flange having a plurality of elongated slotscircumferentially therearound, each of said slots having a side openingintermediate the length thereof; and r b. a brush removably secureableto said hub, said brush comprising a ring having an inner periphery of asize to loosely reside around said outer periphcry of said hub, saidring having a plurality of projections around the inner peripherythereof, said projections being receivable in said elongated slots, andsaid brush having a plurality of bristles around the outer peripherythereof.

4. A brush unit as defined in claim 1 wherein said hub is circular inshape and has a flange around the outer periphery thereof, saidconnector means being located at said flange.

5. A brush unit as defined in claim 4 wherein said body is annular inshape.

6. A brush unit as defined in claim 1 wherein said slots are provided onsaid hub.

7. A brush unit as defined in claim 1 wherein said slots are provided onsaid body.

8. A brush unit as defined in claim 1 wherein said hub and said body aremolded.

9. A brush unit as defined in claim 1 wherein said bristle elementscomprise polyamide filaments.

10. A brush unit as defined in claim 3 wherein the hub and the ring aremolded of a plastic composition.

11. A brush unit as defined in claim 10 wherein the bristles arepolyamide filaments.

12. A brush unit as defined in claim 11 wherein said slots are T-shaped.

13. A brush unit as defined in claim 12 wherein three slots and threeprojections are provided, each equidistantly spaced around the peripheryof its respective part.

1. A brush unit comprising a hub, said hub having a mounting openingtherethrough, and a brush removably secureable around said hub, saidbrush having a body with an inside periphery substantially conforming inshape to an outside periphery of said hub, one of said hub and saidbrush having a plurality of elongated slots extending circumferentiallytherearound and having a side opening intermediate the length thereofand the other of said hub and said brush having a plurality ofprojections thereon, said projections being passable through saidintermediate openings into said slots and drivingly connecting saidbrush and said hub away from said openings.
 2. A brush unit as definedin claim 1 wherein the slots and opening define a T.
 3. A brush unitcomprising: a. a circular hub said hub having a centrally locatedmounting opening therethrough, said hub further having a thickenedflange around an outer periphery thereof, said flange having a pluralityof elongated slots circumferentially therearound, each of said slotshaving a side opening intermediate the length thereof; and b. a brushremovably secureable to said hub, said brush comprising a ring having aninner periphery of a size to loosely reside around said outer peripheryof said hub, said ring having a plurality of projectiOns around theinner periphery thereof, said projections being receivable in saidelongated slots, and said brush having a plurality of bristles aroundthe outer periphery thereof.
 4. A brush unit as defined in claim 1wherein said hub is circular in shape and has a flange around the outerperiphery thereof, said connector means being located at said flange. 5.A brush unit as defined in claim 4 wherein said body is annular inshape.
 6. A brush unit as defined in claim 1 wherein said slots areprovided on said hub.
 7. A brush unit as defined in claim 1 wherein saidslots are provided on said body.
 8. A brush unit as defined in claim 1wherein said hub and said body are molded.
 9. A brush unit as defined inclaim 1 wherein said bristle elements comprise polyamide filaments. 10.A brush unit as defined in claim 3 wherein the hub and the ring aremolded of a plastic composition.
 11. A brush unit as defined in claim 10wherein the bristles are polyamide filaments.
 12. A brush unit asdefined in claim 11 wherein said slots are T-shaped.
 13. A brush unit asdefined in claim 12 wherein three slots and three projections areprovided, each equidistantly spaced around the periphery of itsrespective part.